6.8.14

Osaka Streets「大阪」: Southern District「南」

If you ask a Japanese about the streets in Osaka, they probably will refer to the running Glico「グリーコ」guy. This is it. A sign on the wall, we all feel like copying. Why is this so relevant?

Glico - shortening of glycogen - is a major confectionery manufacturer in Asia - really, how many of you never heard or tried POCKY 「ポッキー」? - called Ezaki Glico. A company from Osaka.
Candy gives energy, which is stored as glycogen, hence the name.

But how a running fella comes in the picture? Their first candy was known as Glico-Caramel and contained 15.4kcal, which is enough energy to run exactly 300 meters (provided you are 165cm, 55kg burning 8.21 kcal running 160 metres in 1min). Hence, the Glico 300 meter running man trademark.

It makes no sense - just as the million other things of Japan, that make out of it such an amazing land.

Anyway. After paying a visit to the north side of town at the Sky Building, it is time to go down south and explore the area around Namba station.

Something weird on that street light?

Amerikamura
Aka Amemura, this shopping district is considered Osaka's counterpart to Harajuku. Lots of teenagers, some fun kids to watch and inexpensive souvenirs for our friends back home. Buzzling with cafés and thrift shops, makes up for a good starting point.

Cat café & japanese streets, with all the cables floating. Same in Tokyo. 3 years there and still wondering, what is the real reason for this...

Besides the Glico man pictured above, the river is packed with gorgeous buildings and opens up for a walk away from the crowd. Or something else. I would guess that these are indeed Love Hotels - you know, those hotels where one can pay for a 2-hour or 3-hour rest but not many guests stay through the week

Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade
This is your traditional Japanese shopping area, along with covered street to make it comfortable through the rainy and the typhoon seasons (10-21). 600m of a crowded mix of designers, Asian high-street, matsumoto kiyoshis and even some pet store. Another souvenir opp.

Dotonbori
This is probably the most special thing of Osaka, as already explained. They are known for their love of food. Huge signs and 24x7 open restaurants. Giant sushi, crab, octopus, gyozas, fugu. All of them MECHANIZED and moving, as you walk past. At night it is lit by hundreds of neon lights, so you can get a different shot on the Glico man.

Here's a map for the mini walk-tour. With lunch and not much shopping, you can cover it in 2h.

何で姉!! *「なんであね」or nande ane is a typical Osaka idiom. You will hear it a lot.
Literally means "why, sister?" but used to express many things (anger, surprise), when you master Kansai dialect